The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to American scientist Karl Deisseroth and German scientists Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for pioneering discoveries involving light and optogenetics, which have helped illuminate how the brain operates.
The Nobel Assembly at Sweden's Karolinska Institute announced the decision on Monday, recognizing the three scientists "for discovering a molecular switch for nerve cells."
Optogenetics is a technique that uses light to control neural signals, helping researchers study the role specific cell types play in behaviors such as learning, fear, addiction and movement.
According to the Nobel Assembly, optogenetics "has fundamentally changed our understanding of the brain," delivering new discoveries every day and helping to answer one of humanity's greatest mysteries: how the human brain works.
Thomas Perlmann, Secretary General of the Nobel Assembly at the Karolinska Institute, said optogenetics "allows the activity of individual nerve cells in a living brain to be turned on or off," and the method is now used by laboratories around the world to probe the brain's mysteries.
Per Svenningsson, Chair of the Nobel Committee, said in a statement that optogenetics opens the possibility of mapping the brain in ways people could previously only dream of.
Researchers also hope optogenetics can improve cochlear implants, allowing more precise stimulation of the auditory nerve than current electrical devices.
Karl Deisseroth, 54, is a professor at Stanford University in the United States. Peter Hegemann, 71, is a professor of neuroscience at Humboldt University in Berlin. Georg Nagel, 73, is a professor of biophysics at the University of Wurzburg. The three will share a prize worth 12 million Swedish crowns (about $1.2 million).
Perlmann recounted that all three said the same thing: they felt wonderful to receive the award alongside two people they call friends, and it was a great honor to be recognized together.
Nobel laureates are selected by expert committees appointed by the awarding organizations. The Physiology or Medicine prize traditionally opens the annual Nobel announcements, followed by Physics on Tuesday, Chemistry on Wednesday and Literature on Thursday.
Perhaps the most anticipated is the Peace Prize, announced on Friday and the only Nobel awarded in Oslo. Experts say this year's committee may choose a broadly supported recipient after last year's controversial win by Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
The laureates will receive their awards on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel's death, at ceremonies attended by Swedish and Norwegian royalty, along with banquets held in their honor.
